Ramdev to disclose next move today

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev addresses his supporters on the third day of his fast against black money and corruption at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi. PTI Photo/Vijay Kumar Joshi

Even as he extended his agitation against black money by yet another day, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev kept his supporters guessing on Sunday about his next course of action.

Ramdev had first announced that he will declare his 'next step' on Sunday after completing the three-day 'symbolic anshan' (fast). Thousands had gathered in anticipation but further announcement was first postponed to evening and then to Monday morning. However, he declared, it is now time for a "nationwide mahakranti' in every home, every lane of every village across each district".

Buoyed by the presence of large number of supporters, Ramdev reiterated the demands mentioned in his letter to the Prime Minister announced earlier in the day. "We get a message that the Prime Minister agrees that our demands are legitimate, then who are those people who say our demands are illegitimate?" he asked.

Ramdev is fasting since August 9 against corruption, black money and for vyavastha parivartan (systemic change). "Why is the Congress hesitating to declare black money as national wealth? Why has the government signed a treaty that bars revealing names of those who have stashed such money before May 2012?"

Ramdev also threatened that there would be social and political boycott of those who do not support his demands. "Many political parties are coming forward to show solidarity to our cause. The rest will not get our votes," he warned.

Representatives of BJD, Telugu Desam and Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh extended support by sending their representatives to the stage. Team Anna member Kiran Bedi, ex-Army chief Gen VK Singh and Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad also spoke. I

Ajit Singh, a farmer from Bulandshahar (UP), who is camping at the Ramlila Maidan with his family since August 9, said, "The Central government is akin to Gaddafi government. The people will express their anger during next elections."